Our “Recommend Me a Perfume” thread is open this week. You can use this space to find perfume recommendations, to share your discoveries and favorite scents, and to ask any questions about scents, aromas and flavors. Or you can just tell us what perfume you are wearing!
How does it work: 1. Please post your requests or questions as comments here. You can also use this space to ask any fragrance related questions. To receive recommendations that are better tailored to your tastes, you can include details on what you like and don’t like, your signature perfumes, and your budget. And please let us know what you end up sampling. 2. Then please check the thread to see if there are other requests you can answer. Your responses are really valuable for navigating the big and sometimes confusing world of perfume, so let’s help each other!
To make this thread easier to read, when you reply to someone, please click on the blue “reply” link under their comment.
Photography by Bois de Jasmin
57 Comments
Hilde: A friend gave me a sample of Guerlain Quand Vient la Pluie. It was a Brussels Exclusive of some years ago in a 125 ml (beautiful) purple bee bottle.
I am desperate to find a perfume which comes as close as possible.
I read some comments on ‘Paradisi’ from Jorum Studio. It should smell like a forest after the rain. Can someone tell me if this does so? Maybe this could be a replacement for my so wished Guerlain. July 22, 2024 at 9:50am
Aire: Hi Hilde,
Do you think Quand Vient la Pluie smells like a forest after the rain? Trees and ferns and moss – that type of forest?
I vaguely remember it as a sweet woody floral, but perhaps I am confused and thinking of something else.
Aire July 25, 2024 at 11:43am
irem: Hello Perfume Lovers. This summer, a Chanel Beauty Boutique opened in our neck of the woods. A decade ago, when I was more obsessed with trying new perfumes, I would have been giddy with excitement, lining up at the door on opening day. Today, I have not even visited the store yet, but I am thinking they will carry Les Exclusives. I am familiar with most of the perfumes in the line, I have worn Cuir de Russie and Bois des Iles – both many many years ago now. I am not planning to buy a new perfume (Cristalle EdT is my go to these days) but I am looking forward to exploring the perfumes as if they are works of art – in a museum without the urge to bring them home (and right so at the current prices, I do not know when the prices skyrocketed like this. ) I do not even need to love the perfume and want to wear it, I just want to be able to appreciate what makes is a great perfume, even if it is not for me. So I am asking for your recommendations or suggestions for where to start. Which Chanel Les Exclusive would you call a work of art and why? Thank you all and have great summer (or winter in the southern hemisphere). July 22, 2024 at 10:59am
Deborah A Oney: I had a love affair with Chanel’s Sycamore a few years ago. If I was a wealthy woman, I would definitely get a second bottle. But there are al lot of fish in the sea, and my time to get to them all is drawing to a close. I wish you well, annie July 22, 2024 at 5:13pm
Hamamelis: Hi Irem, 31 Rue Cambon is surely worth a try. Whether it is a masterpiece I am not sure, but it is pretty perfect to me. Beautiful chypre. Also La Pausa is worth trying, maybe one of the most beautiful ‘pure’ irisses. Hope you will enjoy exploring them! July 23, 2024 at 6:12am
Emi: Hi irem, Chanel no 22 is incredible ! July 24, 2024 at 1:00am
Aire: Cuir d Russie (you know that one, though) and No. 22. Also there are some pretty ones: Gardenia and Beige.
Probably the Eau de Cologne. It’s beautiful.
Also, if you like Cristalle edt (if it’s the old one), try out Paris-Deauville. July 25, 2024 at 11:48am
Debby: I’m on the hunt for a really plush ambery floral, something ‘big’ like an 80s perfume, a bit sweet but not too much so. I like spices, can’t do aldehydes, leather or very animalic musks. Not mad on jasmine or iris. Relatively accessible in terms of availability and price.
Most modern designer perfumes leave me cold, especially the trend for very woody base notes which smell awful on me, and a lot of niche brands aiming for unisex appeal go that route as well.
Things I love for reference: vintage Poison, vintage Angel, modern Shalimar EDP, Carnal Flower, vintage Salvador Dali PdT, Guerlain Lys Soleia, Baiser Vole Extrait. L’Artisan Seville a L’aube. July 22, 2024 at 11:18am
Emily: Have you tried Tolu from Ormonde Jayne? So lush, so plush, so pleasurable. Warm & sophisticated. Orange blossom & a rich tonka & tolu balsam amber.
Let it bloom on your skin, you’ll be seduced. July 22, 2024 at 11:46am
Debby: Thanks, Emily, you’ve just reminded me I have a sample of that buried somewhere, that might very well fit the bill from what I remember. I’d forgotten about it! July 22, 2024 at 12:39pm
Tamasin: I was actually just htinking about Ormonde Woman from Ormonde Jayne which reminds me of rain and forest, in a good way, not when you are caught out and drenched and sodden! (happens a lot in Brussels) July 23, 2024 at 5:12am
Tamasin: I was actually just htinking about Ormonde Woman from Ormonde Jayne which reminds me of rain and forest, in a good way, not when you are caught out and drenched and sodden! (happens a lot in Brussels) July 23, 2024 at 5:13am
Alityke: May I suggest Belle Ame by Les Abstraits?
Yes it’s modern, yes the founder is a YouTuber, Eugen Nizic of U Smell Good. The perfumer is Antoine Lie.
I find Belle Ame to be a lush, ambered iris. If you like Shalimar EdP, Belle Ame is her granddaughter. No synth woods that drill through my palate into my brain.
Eugen was gifting samples sets at the end of last year via Insta. I was fortunate to get one & bought a bottle immediately! July 23, 2024 at 8:29am
Kayliz: It sounds to my ears as if you‘re describing Estée Lauder‘s Youth Dew, which is still going strong as ever. I wouldn‘t be without it, although otherwise my tastes lean niche. I think it‘s vastly underappreciated:) July 22, 2024 at 11:54am
Debby: I haven’t smelt that in years, Kayliz, I loved it when I was young, I’ll have a try next time I see it at a counter. July 22, 2024 at 12:42pm
Sharon: I second the recommendation of Tolu. I’ve been wearing it lately and it’s beautiful in a round, amber way, like caramel with an edge. It has a note that smells to my nose like beautiful soap. I thought of Estee Lauder’s perfumes as well. July 22, 2024 at 2:42pm
AndreaR: Ambre Precieux by Maitre Parfumeur et Garnier
is a lovely amber. Victoria’a review will give you the details. July 22, 2024 at 4:20pm
Danica Radovanov: GRAND SOIR Frances Kurdjian and also Kenzo Jungle for day July 22, 2024 at 4:48pm
Nina Z: Perhaps you would like some of the Amouage fragrances? They are rich and complex, unlike most modern perfumes. For floral ambers, I was thinking you might like Lyric Woman (rose) and Fate Woman (spicy). There may be some others in the line like that which I haven’t tried, so maybe someone else has some suggestions. Maybe you could check out Voyage 19 and Moonbloom from Hiram Green. Haha, I also was going to recommend Tolu for you, but realized I needed to come up with something else.
P.S. I’m with you on those horrible synthetic woods that tend to show up in so many modern perfumes. And I, too, love a lot of discontinued perfumes. July 23, 2024 at 12:39pm
Karina: You should try Chanel Coco (not noir, not Mademoiselle, just plain old Coco). I thought of it immeadiately based on your description. And as perfume prices go, it’s one of the more accessible ones, especially since you can get a 35ml bottle. August 8, 2024 at 6:57am
Maria Perry: Hello everyone,
I’m currently living in Berlin and had the pleasure of discovering the Harry Lehmann brand. The shop has recently changed hands from the original owners (Mr Lehmann died some years ago) and reopened in the beginning of 2024. I wonder if anyone has tried anything from this brand and if so, I would like to know your recommendations. I have been in the shop (it’s beautiful by the way) and tried several eaux de toilette and eaux de parfum. I came out with five 10ml vials that can be refilled in the shop – Eau de Berlin, Boston, Valeria, Tulpe and of course Lindenblüte (Spring in Berlin is just so). If you’re curious about this brand the website has a great description of its history and products. July 22, 2024 at 11:43am
Sebastian: Tulpe is very good, I like its classical beauty. When you visit the store again, I’d recommend trying Key West and Reseda. The first is green-citrusy, on oakmoss-patch (sort of constructed like TdH), the second a spicy-green, flowery, slightly powdery chypre in the style of Chanel No. 19. I also liked Toledo, herbal lavender followed by warm spices and a vanillic base. July 23, 2024 at 5:42pm
Joy Erickson: My comment has nothing to do with perfume. I am commenting on your photograph, Victoria. We called those Bachelor Buttons. My grandmother, my mother, and almost all the women in my eastern Montana farming community had multiple rows of these simple, colorful flowers in their gardens. I haven’t seen them in gardens for years, but recall that they had a lovely, soft, powdery fragrance. A bouquet in a jar on the kitchen table provided a pleasant summery fragrance.
Thank you for the memory!
Joy July 22, 2024 at 11:53am
John Luna: Yes! Also called cornflowers. If you have not yet seen the enchanting 1985 Merchant Ivory film of E.M. Forster’s ‘A Room With A View’, please do — it is marvellous, and features a brief, witty bit about cornflowers. What a glorious movie — now I have to go watch it again… July 22, 2024 at 2:09pm
Joy Erickson: I have seen it, but now I have to watch it again!
Yes, I knew they were called by another name. Thank you for filling un the blank. July 22, 2024 at 3:37pm
Hamamelis: Such stunning blue flowers! Here in the Netherlands we call them ‘korenbloemen’ as they used to grow in the wheat fields. Less so with the changing of farming methods, but increasingly farmers leave room for wildflowers. They still grow here spontaneously in our gardens and road sides. Nice of you to comment of the photograph! July 23, 2024 at 6:18am
Trudy: Love your comment. I live in Southern California and I grew Bachelor Buttons for the first time this year(or Cornflowers I believe they are also called). I grew them from seeds which is another thing I’ve never done before. When I saw the photo I knew them immediately. They are so beautiful. Simple, sweet, the vivid blue color and as you mentioned that soft fragrance. I too often have a small bouquet on my kitchen table! I plan to grow them every year from now on. July 26, 2024 at 11:07am
Gail Weiner: Debbie, you might enjoy Vintage Donna Karan Gold. Got mine from Ebay recently – still in good shape – beautifully manages to be bright and rich, melding lily with amber. July 22, 2024 at 4:28pm
Debby: Yes! I have both the original metal covered EDP and the EDT, I love them both. Just looking for something a bit warmer and sweeter. Thanks for understanding my brief. July 23, 2024 at 12:21pm
Robin Gibbs: I last asked for suggestions about 5 yrs ago and think perhaps something new is out there. Like so many others, all of “my” scents became discontinued or altered so badly.
From childhood on, here is my list:
Ciara, Clinique Aromatics, Lauren (my all time favorite) a trip down the road of vanilla body oils, and lastly Antonia’s flowers. Since then, I have spent way too much money trying samples galore and although there are those that are quite nice, that rose perfume by Chloe S, the actress, they are not me.
Suggestions? July 23, 2024 at 7:30am
Alityke: Clinique AE is now back in excellent form if less potent than it was. It’s still affordable too. Lauder still do Azuree (solar, green leather) & Aliage (gentle, greenish, fresh but deep) on their website. July 23, 2024 at 8:37am
Robin Gibbs: Thank you! July 23, 2024 at 8:48am
Aurora: Hi Robin, have you tried Bottega Veneta the original which got discontinued not so long ago? It is a leather/violet and has a classicism not found easily in modern fragrances and might appeal to you. July 23, 2024 at 10:13pm
Robin Gibbs: Thanks for the suggestion! I will give it a sniff, but I tend not to like “leather” scents. July 24, 2024 at 6:54am
Neil: I tried Chanel Egoiste (not Platinum, the original) on skin twice somewhat recently. I love the creamy sandlwood drydown and on papers should love the whole scent. But there is something in the opening that I dislike a lot and it persists at least 30-60mins, so a bit too long to just wait it out.
I did try Tam Dao on paper, but it seems simply woody to me, lacking the creamyness and other good stuff in Egoiste.
Any recommendations for other scents with creamy sandalwood base that is a major part of the profile, but not the only part? July 23, 2024 at 7:54am
Shannon: Hello Neil,
Have you tried a sample of Hermès Hermessence Santal Massoïa? It is very creamy sandalwood. It wasn’t my cup of tea on my skin, but may be interesting for you to try. July 23, 2024 at 10:22am
Hamamelis: You could try Neela Vermeire’s Ashoka, but it is more than sandalwood. The sandalwood she uses is mysore though of a high quality. You could also try her Thyina, but that has Australian sandalwood. July 23, 2024 at 11:18am
Shannon: I would appreciate your advice and suggestions for two scent profiles:
1) Any suggestions for a fragrance with notes of rice or steamed rice? It doesn’t need to be for the warmer seasons. I’m on the hunt for something that has that comforting scent of freshly steamed rice.
2) I’m trying my best to tolerate the high humidity days and lately I have been wearing Nuxe Néroli, Hermès Un Jardin sur le Nil, Elie Saab Le Parfum, Chloe Lavanda mixed with Serge Lutens Fleur d’Oranger, and Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Nerolia Vetiver Forte. I wish some of the citrus and neroli summer fragrance lasted longer on my skin, for example Bastille’s Hors Piste, but I only get about 3-4 hours of longevity. Any suggestions for longer lasting fresh summer perfumes in the same vein? Thank you! July 23, 2024 at 10:18am
Nina Z: Neroli Intense from Parfums de Nicolai. It lasts forever. I actually wish it wouldn’t haha. July 23, 2024 at 12:40pm
Aurora: Hi Shannon: I second Kenzo Amour for sweet rice and for a more savory rice ELDO Fils de dieu du riz et Des agrumes. July 23, 2024 at 3:29pm
Aurora: For your number 2 request, you might like Serge Lutens Fleurs de Citronnier which lasts well. July 23, 2024 at 3:33pm
OnWingsofSaffron: No. 1: Fils de Dieu du Riz et des Agrumes by Etat Libre d’Orange perhaps? August 5, 2024 at 7:24am
Hamamelis: Fragrance with clear rice note: Champaca Ormonde Jayne. Long lasting Neroli: Tryst Hiram Green. July 23, 2024 at 11:24am
Aire: Kenzo Amour. I didn’t wear it, but always enjoyed it on others. The Kenzo line is pretty good in general! July 23, 2024 at 11:48am
Emi: Hi everyone ! On my way to work everyday i pass by a mugo pine also called moutain pine that smells amazing : not the typical pine scent, but sweeter and more feminine.
It reveals its fragrance most at the end of the afternoon when it is bathed in the sun.
Would you know any perfume that smells like mugo pine ?
Thanks ! July 24, 2024 at 1:06am
Aurora: Hi Emi: two pine scents with sweetness: Annick Goutal Nuit étoilée, very outdoorsy and for a richer, more Christmassy pine, Serge Lutens Fille en Aiguilles. July 24, 2024 at 2:59pm
OnWingsofSaffron: Not a perfume but a recommendation: buy some high quality mugo pine essential oil and put a couple of drops in some equally high quality carrier oil (almond for instance). Lovely for slathering on the whole still wet body after showering. The scent win‘t last long but highly comforting and zen! August 5, 2024 at 7:30am
Laura: Dear community
I will go for a mountain trip in August in Germany. I will do hiking, walking, all kind if outdoor activities. I really want this trip to be memorable, so I can recall it later from my memory. I am looking for a scent for this purpose, a scent which I can use during this adventure, a scent for a mild summery, mountain climate.
My signatures are Chanel Cristalle Eau Verte, Chanel Deauville, I do not like extremely sweet stuffs and hate thr coconut note, but I am very open minded, however quite restricted in terms of budget. Thank you! July 24, 2024 at 1:03pm
OnWingsofSaffron: What about „Mitsouko“ by Guerlain? In the preformulated version there was a ton of oakmoss in it making it very woodsy, and of course most memorable. I‘d definitely buy a vintage bottle on Ebay: there are so many bottles on sale, which means you‘ll be able to get a perfume that isn‘t so pricey. (Go for the golden coloured zigzag boxes, or the white & black zigzag boxes.) August 5, 2024 at 7:18am
Laura: Hi everyone,
I am looking for a pergume for a mountain adventure like hiking, walking, etc in a mild climate in August.
I would like a scent through which I can recall later the memory of this trip. Thank you! July 24, 2024 at 2:11pm
Aire: Sisley Eau de Campagne might be nice. July 24, 2024 at 7:49pm
Hamamelis: Hi Laura, what about Andy Tauer’s L’air des Alpes Suisses? A real mountain scent, but it may lean masculine though. Another outdoorsy fragrance could be Parfum d’Empire Mal-aime, a unique green scent. It is my current favorite and most worn (and I like Cristalle Eau Verte a lot). I find Parfum d’Empire prices very reasonable, and they sell samples. July 25, 2024 at 5:43am
Valentina: Ok, can anyone pretty please recommend a perfume which smells like fog, mist, rain, maybe a little dusty, soapy, white floral, transparent and ethereal, but most importantly NOT sweet at all and without amberwoods? No vintages/discontinued ones. Best one I found so far is Chanel Cristalle , but in the UK we can only buy EDP, and it’s a tad too sweet. I also like 1957, but it lacks that “watery” (not calone) feel. I absolutely loved new 27 87 Per Se, until I found that the base has these atrocious amberwoods.
Thank you! July 25, 2024 at 7:58am
Aurora: Hi Valentina: I’m from the UK too, waving, there is a Yardley perfume Jade which is very close to Cristalle edt. They’ve changed the name to Flora Jade and I hope there was no reformulation, otherwise you can still get Jade on eBay.uk, don’t overpay for it, it should be inexpensive. Good luck. July 25, 2024 at 7:04pm
Valentina: Hi Aurora, thank you for the tip! I have never tried any Yardley perfumes, but I think it’s time to! I have always been wondering about their English lavender, loved by so many old Hollywood celebrities! July 26, 2024 at 5:09am
OnWingsofSaffron: Perhaps „En passant“ from Frédérick Malle collection? Not sure about the factor sweetness as that is highly subjective, but all the other boxes get ticked. August 5, 2024 at 7:10am
T. T. Thomas: Apropo of maybe nothing, is there anything more beautiful than Annick Goutal’s Gardenia Passion? I discovered it over two decades ago, maybe longer than that…when I think of fragrance, I think of scents that moved me emotionally the first time I found them. Another such scent is Penhaligon’s Blenheim Bouquet…both very different, both evocative beyond words. Love your blog. August 5, 2024 at 5:49pm